Evidence supporting the use of: Spirulina
For the health condition: Free Radical Damage
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Spirulina, a blue-green algae, is commonly used as a dietary supplement and is recognized for its high nutrient content and antioxidant properties. Scientific research supports its use for combating free radical damage, which is linked to oxidative stress and various chronic diseases. Several in vitro and animal studies have shown that spirulina contains potent antioxidants such as phycocyanin, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and various phenolic compounds. These antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative injury in cells.
Clinical studies in humans, while more limited, have also indicated potential benefits. For example, some small-scale trials have demonstrated that spirulina supplementation can increase the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as reduce markers of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Its antioxidant effects are thought to contribute to improved immune function, reduced inflammation, and protection against cellular damage.
While more large-scale, high-quality clinical trials are needed to definitively establish the efficacy of spirulina against free radical damage in humans, the existing body of experimental and preliminary clinical evidence provides moderate scientific justification for its use in this context. Therefore, spirulina is scientifically validated, with a moderate (3/5) rating for evidence supporting its role in protecting against free radical damage.
Other ingredients used for Free Radical Damage
1,2-di-galloyl-4,6hexahydroxydiphenoyl-D-glucose3,3'-dihydroxy-B-carotene-4,4'-dione
3-Isomangostin
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
7,4-Dimethoxyflavone
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
Acacetin
Acai berry
Acer truncatum
Acetyl L-carnitine
Algae
Algal protein
Allophycocyanin
Alpha-carotene
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-lipoic acid
amentoflavone
amethoflavone
amino acids
ankaflavin
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
anthocyanosides
antirrhinin
apigenin
apocarotenal
apocynin
apricot
arctiin
argan nut oil
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
ascorbigen
ascorbyl palmitate
astaxanthin
astragaloside
astragalus
Auricularia
Autumn Olive
avocado
baccosides
bacoside
baicalin
Basidiomycota
basil
bee pollen
benfotiamine
berry
beta-carotene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
beta-tocopherol
beta-zeacarotene
betanin
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
bilberry
bioflavonoids
black currant
black garlic
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bok choy
boysenberry
Brassica
Brazil nut
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
C-phycocyanin
caffeic Acid
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
camu camu
canthaxanthin
capsanthin
capsorubin
carnosic acid
Carnosine
carnosol
carotene (unspecified)
cashew
catalase
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chebulic acid
chebulinic acid
chocolate
chokeberry
chrysin
cichoric acid
cistanche
cocoa
coconut milk
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
crocetin
Crypthecodinium
cryptoxanthin
cupric ascorbate
dehydroascorbic acid
delphinidin
delta-tocopherol
desoxyrhaponticin
dibenzo-alpha pyrones
dihydrolipoic acid
diosmetin
dismutase
dragon fruit
Dumontiaceae
Dunaliella
Dunaliella salina
Ecklonia
ellagic acid
emblicanin
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
eriodictyol
erythorbic acid
ethylgallate
fatty acids
ferulic acid
fish protein
flavanones
flavans
flavin mononucleotide
flavoglycosides
flavones
flavonols
flavonones
fruit blend (proprietary)
fucoidan
fulvic acid
furanosterols
Gac
gamma-carotene
gamma-glutamylcysteine
ganoderma
Garcinone C
Garcinone E
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
Glutathione
goji berry
grape
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guarana
Haematococcus pluvialis
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMR lignan
honeybush
hydroxycinnamic acid
hydroxyphenylethanols
hydroxytyrosol
Idebenone
isoascorbate
isovitexin
Jaboticaba
Kaempferol
kucha tea
L-carnosine
L-cysteine
L-glutathione
L-glycine
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leucodelphinidin
lingzhi
lipids
lutein
Lycium
macadamia
malvidin
mangiferin
mangostanol
mangostene xanthone
Matcha
Mate
Melatonin
Methoxylated flavones
Methylselenocysteine
Mineral ascorbate
mixed carotenoids
Myricitrin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
N-Caffeoyldopamine
Neoandrographolides
Neoxanthin
nicotinamide riboside
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
omega-3 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
papaya
Pecan
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Pentose phosphate
phenolic compounds
Phosphate ascorbate
phospholipids
Phthalides
Phycocyanin
Phytoene
Phytofluene
Phytoplankton
pine bark
Plankton
Pleurotus eryngii
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
polyporous mushroom
proanthocyanidins
procyanidin
procyanidol
propyl gallate
punicalagins
punicosides
Pycnogenol
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
raspberry
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhammetin
Ribose-l-cysteine
robusta coffee
Rooibos
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
Salidroside
Schisandrins
Scopoletin
selenium
Sesamolin
Shilajit
Silychristin
spirulina
Squalene
strawberry
Tangeretin
Taxifolin
Theaflavin
Tiliroside
Tremella
Trigalloyl glucose
turmeric
Tyrosol
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Vanillin
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vestitol
vitamin C
vitamin E
Walnut
wheat germ
Whey protein
White Tea
Withanolides
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yumberry
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by spirulina
AnemiaArthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Debility
Depression
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Environmental Pollution
Exercise
Failure to Thrive
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Lead Poisoning
Liver Detoxification
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Mercury Poisoning
Metabolic Syndrome
Multiple Sclerosis
Oral Surgery
Parkinson's Disease
Psoriasis
Radiation Sickness
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores
Products containing spirulina
Designs For Health
EssentiaGreens™
Klean Athlete
Klean Multivitamin ™
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Designs For Health
PaleoGreens®
Designs For Health
PaleoGreens®
Metagenics
PhytoGanix® Tropical Fruit
Vitabase
Spirulina
Vitabase
Super Fat Burner
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive® X
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Protein Green
